A spokesperson for the UK unit of Wal-Mart told just-food this morning (14 August) that farmers in Cornwall will deliver their produce direct to Asda stores in an attempt to cut-down carbon emissions and food miles.
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“To try and avoid unnecessary transportation and all the waste that comes with it, produce will be delivered directly to Asda supermarkets – bypassing depots which are often hundreds of miles out-the-way,” a representative of the supermarket group explained.
Based in Cornwall, it is believed that the pilot scheme will cover 6,000 road miles a month, Asda said. Were it to be rolled out nationally, the policy has the potential to save a further three million road miles a year, the supermarket estimated.
Asda has taken a number of steps designed to reduce carbon emissions, including switching to bio-disel and increasing the amount of freight transported by train. The UK’s second-largest retailer has committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 80,000 tonnes a year by 2007.
Initially, three farms will participate in the two-month scheme, supplying Asda with strawberries, potatoes, cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, leeks and curly kale. Not only does the scheme hope to cut emissions, but also benefit from the up-surge in demand for locally produced foods. All of the produce will carry a label stating: “Produce of Cornwall”.
Chris Brown, ASDA’s head of ethical and sustainable sourcing said: “We are committed to cutting the number of miles our food travels before it reaches our stores.
“Our farmers in Cornwall will deliver it direct to their local stores. That way we can ensure our fruit and veg is as fresh as possible, and we will minimise the impact on the environment.”
